Russia’s World Cup Prep Is Stranger and Crazier Than You’d Ever Imagine

Russia Will Introduce ID Cards To Dissuade Fan Violence

Photo Credit: Yegor Aleyev\TASS via Getty Images

Instead of doing the right things and increasing security, Russia plans to use new ID cards to help keep fan violence at a minimum. We’re pretty sure Russia already uses photo IDs for its citizens, so we’re not sure what the point of this is. Anyways, the plan is to not let anyone in a stadium who does not have a photo ID ticket with contact details.

FIFA seems satisfied, saying they have “full trust” in Russia’s security arrangements. Yes, it is true that police will be present at every game and every stadium, but will it be enough if Russian ultras come through on their promises? Photo IDs don’t strike us as the best form of self-defense!